Sound Off: Remember the veterans

The following is what our readers sounded off about this week:

Remember the veteransThis Memorial Day weekend, let's forget the super sales of mattresses and furniture and remember the reason for the celebration. American military personnel gave their lives to protect our freedoms. These fought-for freedoms not only include free speech and the right to bear arms, but also the right to assemble. Hitler and Stalin, to gain complete control of Germany and Russia, removed these American freedoms. And many countries and their leaders who disrespect the United States deny these very rights to their own citizens. Remember the veterans, and also the United States Constitution, and how we, as citizens, have benefited from the actions of both.

It's getting scaryWhen will the lines in the roadways be painted again? Some of them, you can't even see. It's getting really scary.

How about a park?The political establishment in Geneva is convinced that there is only one option for the Mill Race Inn property, that is, sell it to a developer who will tear it down and build either a restaurant or condos. Either way, it would be a minimal contributor to the city's revenue stream. Does Geneva really need more restaurants or condos? Instead, why not have the appropriate taxing body buy the property from the bank, tear down the building that has fallen into disrepair and put in a riverside park, so that all citizens can benefit, not just a few? Isn't that a more sensible use of this valuable piece of real estate and a better way to spend taxpayer money?

Where is the opposition?It is so disappointing that no one else ran for mayor in the town of Batavia. Batavia needs a mayor who is more conservative with taxpayers' money. Why isn't there a term limit? Thirty-two years is too long. There was no opposition, so it just fell into his lap.

Nobody is going to do anythingA big ripoff? Someone called in about how gas is 30 cents higher in the Tri-Cities than in Maple Park. Nobody is going to do anything about it. They say since it's changing from winter oil to summer oil, you have to pay more for it. Cook County is the highest. I drive through there. Nobody is going to do anything about it. All I can say is do all of your errands in one day, and limit driving in your car. Living in the Tri-Cities, you've got to drive, that's the only option.

Go ahead and squirmAll you people on government pension plans sit there and squirm. All you people were rejoicing when the politicians gave you those good pensions. Unions went along with the politicians when they asked to take your pension money. Our company and many others just walked away from our pensions. You never helped us. Now you want all of us poor people to pay for yours. Go bankrupt.

The right to own and bear armsI'm calling in response to an article in Sound Off last week. The person was condemning firearms, but obviously had not been in the military and obviously does not understand state regulations. You have to fill out a form, send it to the state police and they do the background check on you. If you pass, if you've never been a criminal of any kind, they send you back your FOI card. You cannot buy a shell or a firearm in the state of Illinois with the FOI card. Not only that, but in the United States, we have the right to own and bear arms. Military people understand that more than others. … I think the person better do the research and find the state of Illinois has the best controls and regulations. We can't control the criminals in Chicago. They are gangbangers and drug dealers. And we can't control the people who are mentally ill.

• You can sound off, as well, by calling our Sound Off line at 630-845-5240 or by sending an e-mail to soundoff@kcchronicle.com. Calls must be limited to 1 minute or less.